Handling Home Office Decor
Whether you’re an aspiring architect just out of college or an experienced professional, the home office is one of the most important parts of the home. Work seems less stressful if it’s being completed in a comfortable environment. Balancing style, cost, space management, and comfort can be difficult, but putting in some effort to visualize your ideal workspace can make a big difference in how much you’ll enjoy the end result.
Space is a Factor
If you don’t already know the exact dimensions of the room that is to become your home office, you should first take the time and note the measurements. Nothing is worse than buying a lot of office furniture, only to get home and realize that not all of it will fit. Know what you have to work with, then list the items you want to buy in a list in order of importance. Having both of these things in mind will help you make the right decisions when you begin purchasing.
This Porto Corner Desk can make a big difference in smaller rooms.
To Paint or Not to Paint
After you’ve taken your measurements and decided on a list of wants and needs, start to consider what style of furniture go with the room as it stands now. Are you planning on repainting? If so, you should begin to make out what the general color scheme will be. It might not seem like the most important task; you’ll thank yourself later. No one likes a room that seems mismatched.
Worried about mismatching? Check out our article on Basic Color Coordination so you don’t feel in the dark!
The Essentials
Now that you’ve analyzed the size of your room, and the general themes you’ll be working with, you’ve come to the purchasing portion of the redecoration process. This is the point where that list of items will come in handy. Look at the first few things you jotted down. The list most likely includes, at the very least, a computer desk, a comfortable chair, and at least one container for storage.
The Computer Desk
The computer is the center of the millennial office, replacing the constantly piling up papers and office supplies that plagued the previous decades. Since you’ll be spending the most time at the desk, you should really dive in to find the perfect one for you.
Find great deals on computer desks available now!
Some things to consider when buying a desk:
- Desk size – Your desk should fit comfortably in your room. Not too big so that you feel crowded in, and not too small so as to lack the space that you want.
- Desk storage – Do you think you’ll be needing a lot of space for excess materials, extra papers, and office supplies? If you are, look into desks with ample storage space, either below, at, or above the level of the desk. Desks with lots of storage will take up more space, and are usually heavier than their storageless cousins. They can be a hassle to move from one place to another, so keep that in mind!
- Desk height – Even after you’ve assessed the surface area that a desk will take up, you still need to look at the height of the models in question. If you’re shopping online, look at the item specs. Get out some measuring tape if you need some perspective of the height. Putting some forethought into it will save you time, money, effort, and frustration later on.
Storage is Key
While the computer and computer desk will always be at the center of the stage, storage is right beside them in importance. While our computers do a great job at storing massive amounts of information, sometimes you might find that paper copies of special or secret designations may not be safe on computers.
Hackers are finding more and better ways to get past even the most advanced virus protection programs. This being the case, manual, physical storage space will definitely be needed in your home office. Since you’ll already know how much space will be left, you can make a proper decision on the right size of storage furniture. You can then start looking at different furniture possibilities.
Some examples are:
- File cabinets
- Book shelves
- Storage benches
- Office sideboards
- Storage shelves
- Office credenzas
- And storage cabinets
The Kamloo Contemporary Display Book Shelf gives you plenty of space to store books and show off your favorite decorative bowls or vases!
Whichever option you’ve decided on, just keep some of the other factors mentioned above (size, style, etc.) at the back of your head.
Optional Pieces
If you’ve still got some space remaining after the essentials have been accounted for, you can start to consider some additional options that aren’t vital, but can add to the appeal of your home office.
Among others, these can be:
- Daybeds
- Sofas
- Coffee tables
- Recliners
- End tables, and more!
Basically, at the end of the day, any piece of furniture will go well inside your home office. You know what you’ll enjoy best, so stick true to that, but try to keep a budget, and always be mindful of making your home office a little *too* crowded.